In Conversation: Sally Allain, Head of JLABS @ Washington, DC
By Sarah Ellinwood
April 11, 2023
Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS @ Washington, DC (JLABS @ Washington, DC) opened in 2021 to further accelerate the rapidly growing research and biotech cluster in the Capital Region and engage the nation’s leading metropolitan area for science and engineering talent.
Developed in partnership with Children’s National Hospital on the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center property, the 32,000 square foot state-of-the-art JLABS @ Washington, DC site is open to entrepreneurs, innovators and startups focused on innovation across the healthcare spectrum, including pharmaceuticals, medtech, and health technology. Since launching in 2021, JLABS @ Washington, DC is already supporting more than 30 companies across the region and is continuing to accept applications on a rolling basis.
Sally Allain is the Head of JLABS @ Washington, DC and the Interim Head of JLABS North East, which includes locations in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Leading the strategic direction of the network of locations, Sally is responsible for the process of identifying, engaging, and selecting a strong portfolio of innovators from across the region. She also focuses on building partnerships and collaborations with corporate, academic, government, venture and industry organizations that share in the mission to strengthen the region’s life science innovations.
As a vocal champion for the BioHealth Capital Region as well as women in life sciences, Sally will present the keynote address at the 5th Annual Women In Bio HERstory Gala, which will be held in Rockville, Maryland on April 27th. Tickets are still available until April 13, so hurry and reserve your spot to not only hear Sally’s speech, but to also network with fantastic individuals in our life science community.
We caught up with Sally to learn more about the impact JLABS @ Washington, DC is making in spearheading innovation in the BioHealth Capital Region and her thoughts on what’s needed for continued success. We also got a sneak peek of what she plans to discuss during her keynote address at the HERstory Gala.
We’ve heard a lot about JLABS @ Washington, DC since it opened in 2021. Talk to us a bit about JLABS and how it’s spearheading innovation in the local region.
Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (JLABS) is a strategic life sciences incubator that’s looking to support and accelerate companies working in pharmaceuticals and medtech. While we’re strategic in looking for companies working in the areas of focus of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies (Johnson & Johnson or J&J), we have a no-strings-attached approach and do not take equity or intellectual property from the companies that incubate with us. Currently, there are 13 JLABS locations across the world, with the DC site being the newest.
With the ability to support more than 50 companies, JLABS @ Washington, DC is a turnkey facility for early-stage companies – they walk right into a fully supported research space with access to equipment and specialized instrumentation at no additional cost to the footprint they take with us. Being in the nation’s capital, we’re also the hub for an opportunity in partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), called BLUE KNIGHT™, an initiative focused on supporting companies developing science and technology that aim to provide solutions to respond to the next major health security threats.
Are you able to give us a sneak peek of what you plan to share and reflect on in your HERstory Gala keynote address?
I’m planning to reflect on how to support science and innovation in biohubs, like the Capital Region. I recently read Rise of the Rest by Steve Case, where he focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and communities outside of major tech hubs, like Boston and San Francisco, and why it is so important for our future economy. This isn’t about just ensuring a diversity of support, but also thinking about it from a national level and making sure we’re driving innovation across the entire country.
In biotech and biopharma, we often look to Boston or San Francisco as the top biohubs and then compare our own region. However, there are major differences that favor the DMV region. While we’re not centralized and cover a wider geographical region, the face-to-face access to federal institutions, leading academic institutions and talent, as well as a lower cost of living are all beneficial. As long as there’s really great science and technology, and we’re coming together to support entrepreneurs and early-stage companies with networks and investments, I believe the region is going to continue to progress.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s HERstory Gala?
Engaging with the various attendees, leaders across our region, and women who are looking to build their networks. I’m also generally excited that in-person opportunities are back and we can meet people face-to-face again.
While networking is always important, I think it’s even more important this year. With the uncertainty around the economy and recent biotech/biopharma layoffs, it’s vital for people to make new connections, whether it be for start-up advice, job opportunities, etc.
Can you reflect on the growth of the life sciences industry in the BioHealth Capital Region in recent years? What, in your opinion, is needed for the region to continue to grow?
We’re continuing to see a tremendous amount of growth in small- and mid-sized companies. I think a lot of this success has been from state support; you’re starting to see even greater support in early-stage funding, not just in Maryland but in Virginia as well. There are also a number of important initiatives at the federal and state levels, like our BLUE KNIGHT™ opportunity with BARDA, and it will be great to see what spins out of ARPA-H’s work in the years to come.
You recently wrote a great article reflecting on your time at this year’s JPM conference, posted a follow-up to your recent Investor & Partnering Program at JLABS and gave advice on how companies can adapt to the current challenging economic situation.
Like the rest of the nation, the BioHealth Capital Region is feeling the crunch. Do you have advice, or insights, for startups in the BioHealth Capital Region to help them weather this storm?
While we’ve seen an increase in investing in companies in this region, we know 2023 is going to be tough. It’s a ‘buyer’s market’ for investors right now – there are a high number of opportunities for investors to consider, and we’ve heard investors already slowing their due diligence. It’s going to take time and it should also be a year for companies to assess other mechanisms of funding to help them get through the next 12-24 months. Such as strategic partnerships, grant applications for non-dilutive capital, looking towards patient advocacy funding initiatives, etc.
For the BioHealth Capital Region in particular, I think we should take more advantage of our close proximity to the NIH. Individuals from unique funding groups at NIH are happy to sit down and talk to individuals 1-on-1 about their needs.
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Sarah Ellinwood is BioBuzz’s Managing Editor. A scientist by training and a science communicator at heart, Sarah specializes in making complex concepts understandable, engaging, and exciting. She received her Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology with a focus in infectious disease immunology from the University of Maryland and is passionate about all things related to scicomm, peer mentorship, and women in STEM.
